Former WWE talent Dakota Kai is set to make her in-ring comeback against AEW star Chris Statlander next year. Kai, who was released from WWE in May, will challenge Statlander at Pro Wrestling: EVE Promotions. This bout, announced by Will Ospreay—who works behind the scenes for the British women’s wrestling organization—will take place at Wrestle Queendom 8 on March 8, 2026, at the O2 in London. The match is for the EVE International Championship, currently held by Statlander. Although there have been rumors about Kai possibly joining AEW, she has not yet signed with or appeared for any promotion since her WWE departure earlier this year.
This matchup marks the first meeting between Kai and Statlander. Dakota Kai, known as Charlie in EVE, is a former two-time WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion and hasn’t wrestled outside of WWE since 2017, except for a stint with PROGRESS. On the other hand, Statlander has successfully defended her EVE International title twice since capturing it from Anita Vaughn in July—once against Nina Samuels in September and again in a four-way match including Vaughn, Alex Windsor, and Yu in November. In addition to holding the EVE International Championship, Statlander also carries the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Fan Take: This announcement is a huge deal for AEW fans as it brings a former WWE star into the AEW sphere, potentially hinting at future cross-promotional storylines. It also raises the stakes for the women’s division and showcases the growing collaboration between wrestling promotions, which could elevate the sport’s overall profile and excitement.
